Feb 23, 2013

AIMA celebrates 57th Foundation Day

New Delhi: “Fundamentally the business models around the world are changing due to change in technology which is hitting the real business world,” said Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, (UIDAI) in his keynote address at AIMA’s 57th Foundation Day.

Nilekani was speaking on the theme, ‘Rethinking the enterprise - Need for disruptive business models’.

He further said, “Massive computing capacity is changing the way the businesses are run and this is becoming a major challenge for the existing businesses. Connectivity has become more democratized and this is affecting the traditional businesses.”

Expressing similar views on the theme, Preetha Reddy, Senior Vice President, AIMA and Managing Director, Apollo Hospital Group said, “All innovations are disruptive. Robotics and 3D manufacturing of organs is changing the way healthcare is delivered.”

D Shivakumar, President AIMA & Sr. Vice-President, Nokia for the IMEA region, started the Foundation Day proceedings with a presentation on the history of AIMA and its contribution to Indian management through the past five decades. Speaking on the need for rethinking enterprise, he said, “Every value chain is getting disrupted by new business models.”

The Foundation Day ceremony included a discussion on the rise of the unknown Indian. Speaking on the topic, “Year of the unknown Indian: Is it the tipping point?” former Chief Justice of India J S Verma, said,”I believe that this movement will sustain because it was spontaneous and it did not have a leader with ambition. Every young person in this was his own leader and unless each individual decides to leave, this movement will sustain.”

Verma also said, “We have to address the issue of police reforms and unless and until something happens there, our recommendations will be half met.”

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament, BJP, criticized the political class for creating a nation of mediocrity. Speaking on the subject “India at crossroads: Growth v/s Stability”, he said,” We are living in a democracy where regional issues dilute the national agenda and the country suffers. While giving election tickets, political parties look at electability first – the candidate’s caste, religion, region, money and muscle power. In all this, merit is incidental.”

Disagreeing with Rudy, BJ Panda, Member of Parliament, BJD, said, “Despite all the problems in our system, it is beginning to change. Public and corporates have to recognize this change and not get mired in what has been done in the past four years.”

Sunil Kant Munjal, Jt Managing Director, Hero Motocorp Ltd said,” We should trust our people and bring simple laws that common public can understand. We must give more freedom to the people.”

To mark the occasion, AIMA brought out a special commemorative Souvenir, which was released by Nilekani.

Each year AIMA commemorates its foundation day by recognizing the contribution of management professionals from various sectors of the economy and presents awards for Managerial Excellence and exemplary values.

AIMA’s 57th Foundation Day, which is also celebrated as the National Management Day,was attended by a strong audience of over 600 delegates including distinguished business and political leaders.